Deepest and Darkest Secret

Not that I don't believe Charles had his darkest secret since every one of us does have that. Even, I, myself also had my darkest secret that I don't want to open up to random people.

However, Clark's statement about them being considered predators bothers me to the point that my brain could not think straight as it was the only word that stuck inside.

Out of curiosity, I unhurriedly scanned everyone's faces, one by one, including our professor to check which part of them are considered predators. Sadly, after a thorough investigation, I couldn't see any suspicious about them.

They talked. And they laugh as well. They were simply students like me. So, that makes me wonder about the school that was built on an island with only selected students who are allowed to enroll.

If they're all coming from a wealthy family, why not go to some prestigious school on the mainland that has dominated the entire school system? Wait. Are they all indeed coming from wealthy families?

Based on my quick observation, not everyone looks like Charles who possesses fair white skin, wears limited-edition clothes, and had a nanny or bodyguards.

A few of them look ordinary like me. Well. Clark is an exemption when he wears as expensive as Charles. But I've seen a few rich people and most of the students in this school can barely be compared to the real rich generation kids.

Meanwhile, Charles suddenly raised his hand as if he wants to say something to the professor or just a random body movement.

"Yes, young master?" asks our professor.

"I have read a few books, magazines, and articles online since I was four years old, and the longest word in any of the major English language dictionaries that I know of is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. It refers to a lung disease contracted from the inhalation of very fine silica particles, specifically from a volcano; medically, it is the same as silicosis.

Everyone in the room was put into silence with our eyes and mouth wide open. Good thing the professor did not randomly call names because my ears weren't listening to his discussion.

But, Charles voluntarily raised his hand to impress everyone. Someone with a brain issue managed to shut off everyone's mouth.

"Very well said, Young Master." says our professor. "It only proves that our Ms. Clarkson here was right about all of you. Someone without a brain has one but those who have doesn't have one. No wonder our Young Master remains the top 1 in the class."

What? Am I hearing the right words from our professor? Charles was the top 1 in the class? Does he really have brain issues or he was only pretending to have one?

Well. Without those continuous trembling fingers and jaws, no one will think he has a brain issue. Or worse, a lot of female students would like him already.

"You may now close your mouth, Ms. Clarkson," Charles whispered to me. "don't let those bees, flies, cockroaches, and other tiny insects get into your mouth and your brain."

There he goes again. No wonder I cannot be fallen for his charismatic charms even if he is a first-generation rich kid and a family who owns the entire island.

So, it happens that I followed Charles' embarrassing advice to close my mouth. After the classes ended, a black BMW car waited outside the school.

Charles immediately hopped into the car while I was a bit confused when the mansion was simply a few walks away from the school.

As far as I could remember, he had no other appointment after the class. That means, he can do whatever he wants on the island. And I have the entire afternoon to keep an eye on him.

"Don't waste a minute of my time, Ms. Clarkson," Charles uttered in a serious tone. This time, he was holding his other hand as though he is trying to control his trembling fingers. "I have guests in the mansion. So, if you want to walk, then so be it. Let's go."

That was the first time that I see him that concerned. He wasn't the Charles Bridgerton who had the brain issue when he breathes out those words. The car even leaves in a hurry.

Leaving no choice, I started trekking heading to the mansion. Good thing it was simply a two to three minutes walk on foot.

As soon as I got back to the mansion, I was completely surprised when a bunch of young and gorgeous men and women, my age, occupied the huge dining table. Several bodyguards were also around.

There were about ten men and two women in the dining area. And it happens that their eyes were locked on me the moment they sense my presence.

"Excuse me, human?" one of the men asks with an accent. "do you have a boyfriend?" everyone then curved their lips in silence.

"Excuse me?" could not help but drag my gaze to Charles who still holds his trembling hand. He was not looking back at me, but at the young gorgeous man who asked me a question I did not expect.

The worst part about his sharp stare is that it tells me that he wants to stab the man with the fork he was now holding.

"She's my girlfriend, Randolph," Charles announced. "don't you dare lay a finger on her. Are we clear?"

I don't know what was the big deal about asking me if I have a boyfriend or haven't for Charles to get his rage to reach its peak. And I don't find it offensive as well. It simply means that someone is interested in me.

Everyone suddenly laughed at Charles that even making him more furious. His eyes were already blazing in flame.

"With all due respect, Charles, do you even know how to confess your feeling to someone? Let alone kiss a girl?" asks Randolph and is enjoying seeing Charles getting out of control.

"You must rephrase the question, Randolph." suggests the man seated next to him. "You should ask the Young Master if he knows the idea of being in love with someone when all he does is..." then he disrespectfully follows Charles' trembling fingers and jaws.

To my surprise, Charles suddenly stabbed the fork on the surface of the wooden table. He was already losing his cool. I was about to say something but he preceded me with a question.

"How about a two-against-one fight?" then he moved out of his seat and turned around. He pointed his glowing eyes on top of his right shoulder heading to Randolph. "and I take no for an answer."

Those were the scariest words I heard coming from someone with brain issues. The worst part is that it was no longer the Charles that I must keep an eye on.

"Embrace yourself, Ms. Gorgeous," utters one of the female guests to me. She then grasped my hand and dragged me out of the mansion. "Because you are about to witness something you must not for the rest of your life."

I don't know if someone like me should be threatened by her words. But I believe it has something to do with Charles' deepest secret.

"Are you kidding me? They are going to fight someone with autism?" I debated. "I better inform Mr. and Mrs. Bridgerton about this."

As I was about to dial Mrs. Bridgerton's digits, the woman suddenly snatched the phone from me and pulverize it using her bare hand.

"I better not if I were you." then she smiled at me before she holds my hand again. "Don't worry. I'm gonna buy a more expensive phone after the battle. But, don't do that Charles. Everyone was well aware of his brain issues but that's not an issue for us but what's inside him."

We stopped walking as soon as I reached the rest of them who surrounded Charles, Randolph, and the other guy. "I'm talking too much, right? But for you to understand me better, be better watch who wins the fight."

"I made the challenge, so I make the rules," Charles said. "Whoever loses this fight would never talk to or come near Chloie. Are we clear?"

"So, her name is Chloie Clarkson, huh?" asks Randolph with excitement. "Such a gorgeous name for someone as stunning as her. I'll be glad to be his boyfriend then."

"Over my dead body!" exclaims Charles before he takes off his shirt. Randolph and the other guy also followed.

I was supposed to get mad at the woman for crashing my phone all of a sudden or worried about what was going on, but the moment my poor and hungry eyes witnessed their bulging abs, part of me lightens up. Telling me that I should not miss this battle.

"Let the battle begin!" announces the woman who grasps my hand as though she has no plan of letting me go.

At first, the three of them were simply exchanging fists with each other. Blood was also pouring down from Charles' face. Similar to Randolph and the other guy.

A minute later that happens an unimaginable incident that made my entire body stiffen like steel. My blood ran cold. The chill haze of my suspicion began to crystalize. And I screeched in terror with a pounding heart.

Charles' deepest and darkest secret was revealed as he turned into a huge dog-like monster along with Randolph and the other guy. And everyone, except me, was not surprised by their transformation as though they already expected it to happen.